Film processing apparatus



Dec. 17, 1940. J. M. BLA NEY FILM .PROCESSING APPARATUS I Filed Feb. 21, 1958 ll Sheets-Sheet l QtiNQ gins:

. ma s mwm d m Q lNVENT M 4 ATTORNEYS Dec. 17, 1940.

J. M. BLANEY FILM PRC/)CESSING APPARATUS ll Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed Feb. 21, 1958 INVENTOR 9 H W ATTORNEYS Dec. 17, 1940. J. M. BLANEY 2,224,947

FILM PROCESSING APPARATUS Filed Feb. 21, 1958 ll Sheets-Sheet 3 )yvzzzon Z ra/wad M ATTORNEYS Dec. 17, 1940. BLANEY 2,224,947

FILM PROCESSING APPARATUS Filed Feb. 21, 1938 11 Sheets-Sheet '4 ATTORNEYS Dec. 17, 194% J. M. BLANEY 9 7 Dec. 17, 1940- J. M. BLANEY FILM PROCESSING APPARATUS Filed Feb. 21, 1938 ll Sheets-Sheet 6 lNV TOR v Y W 6x00, VW

ATTORNEYS Dec. 17, 1940. J. M. BLANEY 2,224,947.

FILM PROCESSING APPARATUS Filed Feb. 21, 1938 I ll Sheets-Sheet 7 Dec. 17, 1940. J BLANEY 2.224,947

FILM PROCESSING APPARATUS Filed Feb. 21, 1958 ll Sheets-Sheet 8 WEN R' Z72 A'l roRNEYs Dec. '17, 1940. J. M. BLANEY FILM PROCESSING APPARATUS ll Sheets-Sheet 9 Filed Feb. 21, 1958 ATTORNEYS Dec. 17, 1940. J, BLANEY I 2,224,947

FILM PROCES S ING APPARATUS Filed Feb. 21, 1938 ll Sheets-Sheet '10 ATTORNEYS- Dec. 17, 1940. M BLANEY 2,224,947

FILM PROCESSING APPARATUS Filed Feb. 2 l, 1938 lLSheetS-Sheet ll ,Jea

INVEN OR /7. if; Zia

ATTORNEYS Patented Dec. 17,

PATENT OFFICE FILM PROCESSING APPARATUS .lesae M. Blaney, Stamiord, Com, asslgnor to Oinaudagraph Corporation, Stamford, 01mm, a I

' corporation of Delaware Application February 21, 1938, Serial No. 191,603

10 Claims. (01. 271--2.3)

This invention relates to film processing apparatus.

The object of the invention is to provide a machine which will pass a continuous length of film at a relatively high rate of speed through one or more processing steps such as developing. rinsing, fixing, washing, toning, dyeing, reversing, or drying the film. v

A further object 'of the invention is to provide 10 such a machine which will be simple and inexpensive to make and use, will be durable and will readily and automatically handle film of any base, age or condition without injury to the film.

Other features and advantages of this machine will become apparent as the description thereof proceeds. I

In the drawings, Fig. 1 is a schematic diagram of a film processing machine constructed in accordance with the invention;

, to Fig. 2 isaschematic diagram, in perspective,

of a-portion of such machine, only such number of loops of, film being-shown as are necessary to illustrate the path of the film therein;

Fig. 3 is a sectional elevation of the input end, of such machine;,

Fig. 4 is a plan view of the input end of such machine; e

Fig. 4A is a plan view of a portion of a film so with which the'filmprocessing-machine illustrated is particularly adapted for use; Fig. 5 is a transverse vertical section of such machine along the line 5-5 of Fig. 4; I

Fig. 6 is a horizontal sectional view of such 35 machine along the line H of Fig. 5;

Fig. 7 is a vertical elevation of a portion of the machine, as indicated by-the line P4 in Fig. 4;

Fig. 8 is av detail view, illustrating also an alternate construction;

Fig. 9 is a sectional view through a film roller of an alternate construction;

Fig. 10 is a sectional view through a film roller the operation of a procket when the'fiim is at the point of maximum expansion;

Fig. 16 is a view similar to Fig. 15, illustrating -th'e operation of a sprocket with film which is no substantially less than fully expanded;

along the line Il -I5 in Fig. 14', and illustrating Fig. 17 is a sectional view illustrating an alternate construction for the sprocket;

Fig. 18 is a schematic diagram, similar to Fig. 2, illustrating a modification thereof;

Fig. 19 is a schematic diagram, similar to Fig. 2, illustrating another modification thereof; and

Fig. ,-20 is a schematic diagram, similar to Fig. 2, illustrating still another modification thereof.

Referring to the schematic diagram, Fig. l, the film III, such as the ordinary moton picture film, and which is usually provided with sprocket holes. along one or both edges of the film, is fed into the film processing machine over the sprocket IIR. This sprocket is at the right hand side of the machine, as the machine illustrated is viewed in the direction in which the film progresses through it. The suilix R appended to a designation means that the element so designated the last loop of film, the film passes up over a guide roller I L, through the film cleaner I5 (see Fig. 7) and over the sprocket ISL. a Rollers II are co-axially mounted upon a hori 'zontal shaft I38 which fioats upon vertical rods I39. (see Fig. 3) so that the shait I38 has a range of vertical motion. This construction is commonly called an elevator and for convenience the general reierence numeral I30, in Figs. 1 and 3, is used as the designation thereof. The primary function of the elevator is to maintain a reservoir of film at the input of the machine, from which film is supplied tothe machine while l2, down anew reel of film is being spliced on to the tail end of the film already in the machine. function is achieved in cooperation with a film clutch including the sprocket IIR. Another part of the film clutch (not shown) is a mechanism which locks the sprocket IIR against rotation when the tail end 0! the film Ill leaves thesupply reel. Film for the continued operation of the machine is then supplied by the elevator Itll, during which time the floating rollers it rise. Aft'erthe splice is completed, sprocket I IR is un- This I locked, so that film is drawn from the new reel,

the floating rollers I! return (by @eir weight) to their initial position and the reservoir of film is replenished.

The film next through the wet processing portion 01' the machine, that is, a, developing V tank Ill, through a small rinsing tank I32, throughafixingtanl: III, and through two washing tanks Ill and ill.

is delivered over guide roller II3L to a take-up sprocket (not shown) .from which the film passes .to the reeling or other apparatus (also not shown). The reeling apparatus may be provided with a mechanism that operates when the take-up reel is full to stop the take-up sprocket and prevent its further rotation, so that the film may be cut and reels changed. Film completed by the processing machine during the reel changing time is thus temporarily stored in the elevator I3'I. This storing operation is attended by the dropping 01 the floating rollers II2 of the elevator. The reeling apparatus is provided with a two-speed drive for the take-up sprocket, so that when the empty reel is fitted, the take-up sprocket is driven at double speed (or other speed greater than normal) until the excess film has been removed from elevator I31, after which the take-up sprocket is driven at normal speed.

Now considering the detailed path of the film in the developing tank I3I, and referring to the schematic diagram, Fig. 2 to supplement that of Fig. 1, (with occasional reference to Figs. 3-6) the fihn passes from the sprocket ISL down against a roller H at the topof the tank I3I, down and under a roller I8 near the bottom of the tank I3I, up and over a second roller Ill at the top of the tank, down and under a second roller I8 near the bottom of the tank, and so on between rollers I1 and I8 in spiral fashion to form a series of substantially vertical loops of film of fixed dimensions from the left hand to the right hand side of the machine. At the end of the last loop of film between rollers I1 and I5, the film passes around the next to last roller I'I, down and under a weighted floating roller I9 and up and against the last roller II, to form a supplementary loop of film, and then up and over a sprocket 20R.

From sprocket 20R, the film passes down and against a roller 2I at the top of the tank I3I, down and under a roller 22 near the bottom of the tank, up and over a second roller 2i at the top of the tank, down and under a second, roller 22 near the bottom of the tank, and so on around successive rollers 2I above and 22 below to form a series of substantially vertical loops of film of fixed dimensions from one side of the machine to the other.

and against a roller 25 at the top of the tank I3I, down and under a roller 25 near the 130i tom of the tank, up and over a second roller 25 at the top of the tank, down and under a second roller 25 near the bottom of the tank, and so on around successive rollers 25 and 23 in spiral fashion to form a series or substantially vertical loops of film of fixed dimensions from the left hand to the right hand side of the machine. These loops of film are similar to those between rollers These loops of film are similar to those between rollers I1 and I0 except that the H and I8. At the end of the last loop of film between rollers 25 and 25, the film passes around the next to last roller 25, down and under a weighted floating roller 21 and up and against the last roller 25 to form a supplementary loop of film, and then up and out of the developing tank I3I.-

The film could then, if desired, pass directly over a sprocket at the right hand side of the machine. It is preferred, however, with the machine illustrated, to have the film coming up and out of developing tank I3I, pass over an idling guide roller 28R, positioned above a small rinsing tank I32, then down into the tank I32, under a roller 29 near the bottom of the tank, and then up and out of the rinsing tank and over a sprocket 30R. As rollers 25R and 23 are each rotatably mounted on fixed axes (as will appear later), sprocket 30R functions, with respect to the loops of film between rollers 25, 23 and 2! in the same manner as does sprocket R with respect to the loops of film between rollers I'I, I0 and I0 and as does sprocket 24L with respect to the loops of film between rollers 2|, 22 and 23. As a consequence, in the ensuing description of the drive for the film in the developing tank portion of the machine, such description for simplicity disregards the rinsing tank I32 and the rollers 28R and 29 and assumes that the film coming up and out of the developing tank I3I passes directly over sprocket 30R.

Rollers H are coaxially mounted on a single -shaft I40 in such manner that each roller I1 is free to rotate relative to all the other rollers I'I. This is obtained, in the machine illustrated in Figs. 2-8, by having each roller I'I rotatable relative to shaft I40. Shaft I40, of uniform diameter throughout its length, extends across the machine and is rotatably mounted at its ends upon fixed supports I10, "2 near the top of tank I3I.

Rollers. I3 are coaxially mounted on a single shaft MI in such manner that each roller I8 is free to rotate relative to all the other rollers I8. This is obtained, in the machine illustrated in Figs. 2-6, in the same manner as with rollers 87, that is, by having each roller I8 rotatable relative to shaft I4I. Shaft MI is similar to shaft I45 and is similarly rotatably mounted upon fixed supports I'II, I13, but near the bottom of tank I3I.

Floating roller I3, weighted by the weight I82, is rotatably mounted in. yoke I30 and is free to mbve up and down with the weight within wide limits.

Rollers 2i, 22, 25 and 25 are mounted upon shafts I42, I43, I44 and I45, respectively, in the same manner that rollers H are mounted upon shaft 350, and shafts I42, I43, I44 and I45 are each similar to and similarly mounted as shaft I45. Floating rollers 23 and 21 are each weighted similarly as roller I9, and each is free to move up and down in a similar fashion.

The sprockets ISL, 20R, 24L and 30R are iden-. tical in size, number of teeth and tooth dimensions, and are driven together at the same speed. This drive is preferably efiected from a single driving means such as a motor (not shown) which is coupled to a drive shaft I extending along the upper right hand side of the machine illustrated. The shafts I5I, I52, I53 and I54 for these sprockets, respectively, are coupled to the shaft I50 by suitable non-slipping coupling means, such as the bevelled gearing I55, I53, I51 and I53, one for each shaft. Alternate shafts cross the machine, that is, shafts I5I and I53 extend across the machine while shafts III and I do not.

It is observed that although sprockets ISL.

"R, L and R are power driven, the film in tank III is not directly driven by these sprockets.

The direct prime mover of the film in tank III is, in the construction illustrated, the weight associated with each of the floating rollers I I, 23 and 21. These weights serve to tow or draw the film through the tank.

In other words, the tension on the film which causes it to move through the tank Ill is produced by the weight of the floating rollers IS, 23 and 21 and of the weights and parts suspended therefrom. The sprockets do not produce any tension which causes motion of the film directly, or independently of the weighted floating rollers. The action of the sprockets is to confine the film tension produced by each weighted floating roller to the supplementary loop of which such roller is a part and to the series of loops immediately preceding such supplementary loop, to transfer energy to the weight associated with the floating rollers toreplace the energy expended by such weights in towing the film through the tank and to transfer the. film at the end of each supplementary loop, after it has been towed through the immediately preceding series of loops and transferred to such supplementary loop by the weighted floating rollers, over to the beginning of the next succeeding series of loops.

That this may be clear; the action of the sprockets and of the weighted floating rollers associated with tank I 3| are now considered, having particular reference to Fig. 2.

The weight I82 associated with floating roller I9, together with the weight of the roller itself, of the yoke I80 and of connecting rod ISI, produce tension in the film throughout the first series of loops and the supplementary loop in tank ISI, 1. e., the loops commencing at sprocket ISL and ending at R. This tension is confined to these loops by the sprockets ISL and 20R and is not transmitted to the film in the second series.

of loops and in the second supplementary loop, 1. e., the loops commencing at sprocket 20R and ending at sprocket L. The tension in this second series of loops and supplementary loop is produced by the weight, and the weight of the other parts, associated with the floating roller mentary loops which correspond respectively to the functions of sprockets ISL and "R for the first series of loops and supplemental loop.

so To illustrate the action of the weighted floating roller I 9 in towing the film, assume that the film throughout the series of loops between sprockets ISL and 20B, and immediately preceding sprocket ISL, has a uniform pitch of the sprocket holes,

05 which pitch does not change with processing of the film, and that, with sprocket 20R stationary, sprocket ISL is rotated clockwise a part of a revolution to transfer a short length of additional film past the sprocket. Obviously. sprocket ISL f is unable to push this additional film, nor the film ahead of it, through the first series of loops. However, the film in this series of loops does proceedeto move, but this motion is due entirely to the lowering of the weighted floating roller 15 I9, which action pulls a certain length of film draws from the supplementary loop at the end of the first series of loops and transfers to the beginningof the second series of loops a length of film equal to that added to the first series. In addition, as this film is withdrawn from such supplementary loop, the weighted floating roller I9 rises until at the end of this given rotation of sprocket R the roller I9 is at its initial position, 1. e., its position before either sprockets ISL or "R was rotated. Raising roller I9 raises the weight thereof so that the potential energy of such weight is restored to its initial value. In other words, the sprocket HR, in transferring the film from the supplementary loop at the end of the first series of loops over to the beginning of the second series of loops, also replaces the energy used by the weighted floating roller IS in towing the film through the first series of loops. 7 -In.p'ractical operation sprockets ISL and 20R do not, rotate intermittently as has been assumed for the purpose of the foregoing analysis, but opcrate continuously. This continuous operation of the' sprockets merely results in each sprocket continuously performing the same functions that have just been ascribed to it on an asumption of an 'intermittent operation of the sprockets.

Inasmuch as the movement of the film in: the second and third series'of loops is similar to that just described for the first series, it is believed unnecessary to further} discuss-the second and third series of loops.

As a result of the above described construction for the developing stage of this film processing machine, the film therein is never subjected to a tension appreciably greater than half the weight associated with any floating roller. This is true whether the sprocket hole pitch of the film is different for successive runs of film passing into this processing tank of the machine, and whether the sprocket hole pitch changes while the film is processed in this tank of the machine, since the motion producing tension of the film is not produced by any sprocket engaging the sprocket holes of the film, but by a weighted roller suspended in the bight of the supplementary loop of film.

A further result of the above construction is that the machine automatically accommodates itself to successive runs of film having differing sprocket hole pitches and to changes in the sprocket hole pitch of a film occurring while the film is being processed in this tank of the machine, in each case the accommodation being made quickly, eifectively and without impairing the film'or the operation of the machine.

In explanation, it is to be noted first that the number of the sprocket holes of film in each series of loops remains constant notwithstanding any variations in the sprocket hole pitch of the film that may exist in the incoming film, or that may occur while the film is passing through the series of loops. This is due to the fact that the sprockets at the beginning and at the end of each series of loops (for example, sprockets ISL and 20R) are identical in size and in number of teeth and are identically coupled in non-slipping manner to the drive shaft I50, so that these sprockets rotate simultaneously at the same speed, and thus introin different portions of a given series of loops, th

rollers are free to rotate at such differing speeds that the peripheral speed of each roller may exactly equal the lineal speed of the portion of the film in direct engagement therewith.

To illustrate the operation of the machine when f accommodating successive runs of film of differing sprocket hole pitch, assume that a non-expanding, non-contracting run of film having a normal sprocket hole pitch is originally in the machine and extends from sprocket ISL throughout the series of loops to sprocket 20R. Merely by way of example, assume further that there is 150 feet of such film in the series of loops between sprocket ISL and 20R and that the normal sprocket hole pitch is 0.300 inch, (i. e., 0.300 inch between corresponding points of linearly adjacent sprocket holes), so that there are 40 sprocket holes per foot of such film, or 6000 sprocket holes of film between sprockets ISL and 20R. Assume also that the position of weighted roller I9 under these conditions is midway between its upper and lower limits of motion.

Assume now that the above run of film is immediately followed by a run of non expanding, non-contracting film having a sprocket hole pitch substantially greater than normal-for example 0.302 inch-and that, with the junction between these two runs of film initially positioned at sprocket ISL, the shaft I50 is rotated. Thus, for every sprocket hole of the second run of film which is passed over sprocket ISL, more film, in lineal length, is passed into the series of loops than is withdrawn therefrom by sprocket 203.. The length of film between sprockets ISL and 20R thus constantly increases in small increments. These increments tend to reduce the tension in the film at the beginning of the series of loops. This reduced tension is rapidly transmitted through the film to the weighted floating ing the vertical height of the supplementary loop of film and to restore the initial film tension. The incremental increases in film length being continuous while the junction between the first and second runs of film is traversing the series of loops between sprockets ISL and NB, the dropping of the weighted floating roller I9 is continuousalthough of course gradual-ceasing when the junction has passed sprocket 20R. At this time roller I9 has dropped one-half the total increase in lineal length of film between sprockets ISL and'ZilR. With the proportions assumed, this total increase will be one foot so that the new vertical position of roller I8 is after, so long as the film of the second run passes over sprocket ISL, the length of film in the series It is to be observed that in achieving the above I accommodation the'film was never subjected to any abnormal tension or sudden movement, and that the operation of the machine was never interrupted or impaired.

In the event the second run of film had had a sprocket hole pitch substantially less-instead of substantially greater than normal, it would have been automatically accommodated in the same fashion as that described, except that the accommodation would have been in the opposite sense, that is, as less mm in lineal length would pass over sprocket ISL than would pass over sprocket NB, the lineal length of the film in the series of loops would decrease. As a consequence, the tension of the film at the beginning of the series of loops would tend to increase, this increase being transmitted through the film to the weighted floating roller IS. The vertical position of such, roller would rise so as to relieve the excess tension and to absorb the reduction in the lineal length of film in the series of'loops by decreasing the vertical height of the supplementary loop of film. After the series of loops had been completely filled with film of the subnormal pitch,

th weighted floating roller would remain at its raised position untila run of film having a diiferent sprocket hole pitch would pass over sprocket ISL.

To illustrate the operation of the machine when accommodating film in which the sprocket hole pitch changes while the film is being' processed in the machine (1. e. while the film is passing through the series of loops) assume first, as before, that the film originally in the machine is a non-expanding,non-contracting run of film having a normal sprocket hole pitch, that there is 150 feetof such film or 6000 sprocket holes between sprockets ISL and 20B. and that the weighted floating roller I9 is in its mid-position. Assume further that this run of film is followed by a run of film which initially has-a normal sprocket hole pitch but which expands with processing, and that, with the junction between these two runs of film at sprocket iSL, the shaft H0 is rotated. I

While this junction is passing through the series of loops, the same amount of film, in sprocket holes and in lineal length, is being introduced to the series of loops over sprocket ISL as is being withdrawn therefrom over sprocket 20R. However, the portion of the second run of film that has passed over sprocket IBL is expanding with the processing thereof so that the amount of film, in lineal length, (i. e., in feet) in the series of loops is gradually increasing, although the amount of film, in sprocket holes, in the series of loops remains constant. This increase in the lineal length of the film tends to reduce the tension therein, and the reduction in film tension being promptly transmitted through the film from wherever it occurs to the weighted floating roller I9, such roller drops in vertical position to restore the initial tension and absorb the increased film length. Roller I9 thus gradually drops as the junction between the two runs of film passes through the series of loops.

The instant the junction passes over sprocket ZDR-in other words the instant the series of loops is completely filled with the expanding film-"the amount of film, in lineal length, in the loops between sprockets ISL and 201?. no longer increases, but instead becomes an unvarying amount in length, with the result that the roller I9 ceases 7 to fall.

Assuming now that the operation of the machine is continued at the same rate and that more of this second run of film (i. e.-, the expanding film) is introduced into the series of loops over 5 sprocket ISL. The result is that the same amount of film in sprocket holes is withdrawn from the series of loops as is introduced thereto, that the amount of film in lineal length in the series of loops remains constant, and that the roller I0 remains at a given vertical position (which is the position to which it has fallen as described above) However, the amount of film in lineal length withdrawn from the series of loops is greater than the amount of film in lineal length introduced thereto, as the outgoing film, having expanded while in the series of loops, has a larger sprocket hole pitch than the incoming film. In other words, there is an excess of lineal output over lineal input, the excess being due to the lineal expansion or stretch of the film, resulting in the lineal speed of the outgoing film being faster than that of the incoming film. These lineal film speeds do not change so long as there are no changes in the incoming film nor in the operation of the machine.

To illustrate this condition, if the stretch of the film between linearly adjacent sprocket holes is the substantial amount of 0.002 inch (1. e. if the sprocket hole pitch changes from 0.300 inch to 0.302 inch as it travels from sprocket 161. to sprocket 20R) and if 6000 sprocket holes of film are passed over each sprocket per minute, the

lineal speed of the incoming film is 150 feet per,

minute This increase in.the lineal speed of the film is achieved gradually as the film progresses through the series of loops. The lineal speed of the film thus difi'ers in diflerent portions of the seriesof loops; for example, the lineal speed of the film engaging a given loop-forming roller I1 is greater than that engaging the preceding roller I1. These rollers have the same diameter, but

as these rollers are rotatable independently of each other, they may, and do, rotate at such different speeds that the peripheral speed of each roller I1 is the same as the lineal speed of the film in engagement therewith. There is thus no slippage of the film with respect to any roller I1,-so that there is no friction loss nor reduction in film tension due to any such film slippage. The same condition exists between the film and the'several lower loop-forming rollers I8. The weighted 0 floating roller I0 is thus as effective in pulling the film through the series of loops when-the film expands with processing as' when the film does not change its length with processing.

It is to be observed that the machine has thus automatically accommodated itself to the run of expanding film without interrupting or impairing the'operation of the machine and without subjecting the film to any abnormal tension or sudden movement.

Had the second run of film contracted, instead of expanded, with processing, it would have been automatically accommodated in the same fashion as that described except that the accommodation would have been in the opposite sense. Thus the 75 weighted floating roller I 0 would have risen as the Junction between the runs of film was passing through the series of loops, and then would have remained in its raised position after the junction passed beyond such loops. The output of the film in lineal length would then be less than 5'. the input in lineal length, although, as before, the input and the output of the film in sprocket holes would remain the same. Also, as before, the rollers I1 and I0 would each rotate without slippage between the film and the rollers, not- 10 withstanding the fact that the lineal speed of the film would decrease as the film passed through the series of loops. The weighted floating roller I0 would thus remain as effective in pulling the film through the series of loops as it was when the film 1. was non-contracting, or even expanding, in character.

For simplicity, the foregoing description of the operation of the developing stage of the machine in accommodating itself to successive runs of film 2 having sprocket hole pitches which initially deviate in varying amounts from the standard pitch and to changes in the sprocket hole pitch of the film occurring while the film is being processed in the machine, has been made upon the assumption that successive runs of film differ in only one or the other of these two variables. It is clear, however, that the machine is capable of accommodating itself to successive runs of film differing in both of these variables, and also, through a sub- 3 stantial range of variation of each variable. As these variables arise due to differences in. the manufacture, base, age, previous treatment, and present condition of different runs of film, the film processing machine. of this invention readily and automatically handles film regardless of its manufacture, base. age, previous treatment and presentcondition, and all without injury to the film.

Figs. 3-6 inclusive in more detail than inFigs. 40 1 and 2 one construction for the developing stage of the machine.

The support for all the parts of the machine, except the tanks, is a framework I supported above the tanks of the machine by a plurality of 45' posts I6I, I62 at either side thereof. This framework consists'of longitudinally extending angle bars I03 and I6! at either'side of the machine which are connected at intervals "by the crosspieces I05. If desired, provision may be made for 00 raising the framework so as to withdraw the film loops from the tanks and thereby facilitate threading of the film or repair of a film rupture.

Secured to the angle bar I00 and extending downwardly therefrom into tank III are three 60 pairs of vertical rods I01. Three pairs of vertical rods I60 extending down into tank I3I are similarly secured to the angle bar I64, the position of the verticalrods I60 relative to the vertical rods I01 being such that the vertical plane in- 00 eluding each two corresponding rods at opposite sides of the machine is perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the machine. Upon rods I 01 at one side of the machine are adiustably mounted two arms I10 and "I, one being positioned near 0 Y the machine.

I14. Shnilar arms "I and "Sat opposite sides of the machine near the bottom of the tank Ill are secured in the same spaced relation by three other pairs of tie rods I14.

The set of rollers I1 near the top of tank I3I is mounted uponthe shaft I40 which extends across This shaft I40, of uniform diameter, is rotatably supported on arms I10 and I12 by means of an adjustable bearing screw I15 at each end of the shaft, the bearing screws being positioned between the rods of corresponding pairs of vertical rods I61 and I98. The bearings for shaft I40, one of which is illustrated in Fig. 8, are preferably conically shaped recesses atthe ends of the shaft accommodating cone-shaped ends of the bearing screws I15, the bottoms of the recesses being cylindrical so as to provide clearance for the tips of the bearing screws. Shaft I40 and bearing screws I15 are preferably made of metal resistant to the developing solution contained in tank I3I. The metals which have been found most satisfactory are 18-8 (type 303) stainless steel, and inconel.

The other two sets of rollers (2i and near the top of tank I3I are mounted respectively upon shafts I42 and I44, each of which is of uniform diameter and rotatably supported-uponthe arms I10 and I12 by adjustable bearing screws I15,- similarly as with shaft I40. The sets of rollers I8, 22 and 25 near the bottom of tank I3I are mounted respectively on shafts I4I, I49 anddistance between the upper set of rollers I1, 2| and 25 and the lower set of rollers I8, 22 and 29,

and also provides an adjustment of these rollers relative to the top and bottom-of the tank I9I. Also, asa result of the above constructiom'the axes of shafts I40 and I4I'are always parallel to each other write the axes of each ofthe other shafts I42, I49, I44 and I49, and each of these shafts is always P dicular to the longitudinai axis of the machine, regardless of the podzitg'ln of the arms relative to the tank and to each er.

In the construction illustrated all the rollers in each of the sets I1 and I8 are identical'in construction and size and. each is rotatable upon the shaft supporting the same. The rollers are, preferably of hard rubber as hard rubber is neuv AxiaLmovement of the rollers is prevented by the tral with respect to the solutions in which the rollers run, as it does not disintegrate by reason of being continually wet and as its coefficient of friction is low. In explanation of the latter, hard rubber repels water -(i. e. does not break its surface tension) so that the solution in the tank exerts a minimum drag upon the 2 'hard rubberrollers.

If desired, however, the rollers may be made of a'phenol condensation product which is neutral with respect to the solution in which they run.

The individual rollers I1 and I8 are spaced by means of small washersfll (see Figs. '6 and 8).

spring washers I19 (see Figs. 5 and 6) which may be sprung into position in suitable grooves in the shafts at each end of each set of rollers. If desired, the spring washers may beomitted and the end rollers (such as I1 in Fig. 8) provided with a stop screw I the lower end of which projects into a groove I9I, formed in the shaft, without securing the end rollers I1 to the shaft. In this position the upper end of the screw I90 is position below the film engaging surfaces of the roller. as illustrated.

To prevent the film from jumping from one roller to anothen'particularly when threading the machine or repairing film ruptures, the film retaining rollers I are provided. These rollers,-

preferably made of hard rubber, are mounted on the tie rods I14, .and while small in diameter, are sufficiently large to extend between the flanged edges of the film rollers I1, I8. The rollers I95 preferably have straight sides, and'a small clearance with the flanged edges of the rollers I1, I8; and while the rollers I95 are rotatably mounted upon the tie rods I14 so that rollers I95 are free to drift with rollers I1, I8, the rollers I95 normally do not rotate. Two film retaining rollers I95 are preferably provided for each film roller I8, as illustrated in Fig. 6,while only one film retaining roller I95 is provided for each film.roller 'I1, as illustrated in Fig. 4. These rollers I95 are positioned on the down side of all the film rollers I1 except the film roller I1 immediately preceding output sprocket 20R, where the roller I95 is positioned on the up side.

The floating roller I9, similar in construction to rollers I1, I8, is rotatably mounted upon an inverted U-frame I80- (Figs. 3, 5) to which a weight I8I. is connected by the rod I82. This rod is of substantial length and passes. through a guide hole in a guide I93 which is adlustably secured to the adjacent pair of vertical rods I51. Floating roller I9 thus has a substantial range of vertical motion. the upper limit of which is when the.

weight I82 engages guide I83 and the lower limit of which is when the U-frame I80 engages guide I83. In rotatably' mounting roller I9 upon U- frame I80, the roller is preferably secured to a shaft I91,asbyasetscrew,andtheendsofshaft I 91 cone-shaped and mounted in conical recesses in the sides of U-frame I80. A fihn retaining roller I98 is provided for floatingroller I9, this roller I98 being mounted upon a rod I99 extending between the sides of the U-frame beneath the roller I9.

The construction for the second and third series offilmloopsinthe developingtank "I being similar to'that Just described for thefirst series of mm loops, detailed description thereof is omitted.

As previously described, the film II, after completing its travel throughthe three series of film loops in the developing tank 'I9I, passes up out of the tank and over guiding roller 281?. (see Figs. 1 and 4) positioned above a small rinsing tank I92, then passes under a roller 29 positioned within and near the bottom of tank I92, and then passes up and out of the tank I92 and over sprocket 30R. Roller'28R is rotatably mounted upon the shaft I99 which supports and drives the sprocket 30R. Roller 29 is rotatably mounted upon a short rod (not shown) which is suitably secured to the two vertical rods I91 provided for this tank.

To complete the description of the wet process-.

ing portion of the machine, (and referring to Fig. l) .the film from sprocket 30R passes through three series of loops in the fixing tank I33, and through three series of loops in each of the two washing tanks I94 and I99. As each of these series of loops is similar to the first series of loops in the developing tank ill (with the exception of the first series of loops in tank I33, where there is one less loop in'view of the transverse displacement of sprocket 30R at the-beginning thereof), and as each of these several loops has a supplementary loop at the end thereof, particular description thereof is unnecessary. It is believed sumcient to identify the remaining sprockets of the wet processing portion of the machine which are shown in Fig. 1 as follows, 341., 33R, "L, R,

ML, "R, "L, 62R and L; to identify the remaining top sets of rollers, commencing with the first set in fixing tank I33, as follows, 3|, 3!, 39, 33, 41, II, 55, I3 and 33; to identify the remaining bottom sets of rollers, commencing with the first set in fixing tank I33, asi'oilows, 32, 36, Ii, 44, 38, I2, 56, 60 and 34; and to identify the remaining floating rollers, commencing with the first fioating roller in fixing tank I33, as follows, 33, 31, ll, 45, 49, 53, 51, BI and 63.

As previously mentioned, the film at the input of the wet processing portion of the machine passes through a cleaner I5. This cleaner, shown in Fig. 7, consists of two suction tubes 203 positioned transversely of the film with one above and the other below the film and with each tube being provided with a series of apertures IIII adjacent the film. The apertured portions of tubes 200 are contained within a cylindrical housing formed by the two arcuate members or caps 302. These members are suitably secured together with their abutting ends slightly separated so as to provide apertures for the entry and exit of the film. At both the entering and exit apertures for the film, the film is engaged upon both its surfaces by wipers of a suitable cloth such as mohair or plush 203. These wipers are conveniently provided in two strips, each extending from outside the member 2M, through the entering aperture, between one or the other of the tubes 200 and the corresponding member 302 and out through the exit aperture. The ends of the wipers are. secured in any suitable manner to the members 202. The function of cleaner I5 is to remove all foreign matter accumulated in printing and subsequent handling of the film prior to its introduction into the developing tank I3.I.

between tanks I3I and I32, between tanks I32 and I33, between tanks I33 and I33 and after tank I33, it is preferred to provide air jets or the like to prevent the solution entrained in the film from being carried over to the next tank. These airjets, not shown, are positioned on opposite sides of the film and are arranged to direct the air therefrom against the film in the direction opposite to its direction of travel.

As is well known, raw film expands during wet processing. The lineal expansion of such film is indicated in Fig; 1 by the relative positions of the floating rollers I9, '23,'etc. Had the film not expanded, all these rollers would be in substantially the same horizontal plane, (assuming the film in the wet portion of the machine to be The drier I33 may be of any suitable construction.- It is preferred, however to utilize a construction similar to that described for the let processing portion of the machine, inasmuch as At suitable positions in the film path, such as him contraction is substantially as much a problem when drying the film as film expansion is when wet processing the film; In view of the detailed description of the wet processing portion of the machine it is believed sufilcient to identify the sprockets oi the drier which are shown in Fig. l, as follows: 'IIIR, 14L, 18R, 82L, 86R, ML, R, "L, IIIIR, IIIBL and IIOR.

It is desirable to provide the film rollers in the drier with ball bearings so as to reduce to a minimum the friction between each film roller and the shaft on which it is rotatably supported. Ball bearings are thus usable in the drier although not so usable in the wet processing portion of the machine as ball bearings are made of metals which may be, and usually are, hardened but which corrode under the action of the liquids in the wet processing tanks. In the drier therefore the film in the film rollers not only moves more freely than in the ,wet processing portion of the machine, in view of the absence of the dragging action of liquids upon both-the film and film rollers, but the film rollers have less friction (both dynamic and static) upon their shafts, due to the use of the roller bearings. As a consequence less weight may be used with the floating rollers in the. drier than in the wet processing portion of the machine. By this resulting arrangement the film in the drier is never sub- Jected to an excessive tension. This is true not only whenthe film is in motion in the drier, but also when the film is stationary in the drier. When the film is in motion in the drier, the accommodation of the drier to changes in the sprocket hole pitch of a film occurring while the film is traveling through the series of loops thereof (in this instance, accommodation to changes due to contraction or shrinkage of the film), and the accommodation of the drier to successive runs offilm having sprocket hole manner as that described for the developing tank of the wet processing portion of the machine. The case when the film is stationary in the drier occurs when there has been a film rupture, necessitating stopping the machine for a short time to repair therupture. In this instance, although the film be stationary, the drying of the film continues, and as the film dries, it continues to contract. In contracting, additional tension is introduced into the film which, unless relieved, may itself cause rupture of the film. In the arrangement as described this additional tension is relieved by beingtransmitted through the film to the floating roller to causeits upward displace ment and a resulting readjusting movement of the film and film rollers. Such a readjustment is facilitated by the reduction of the static friction resulting from the use of the ball bearings for the film rollers.

The lineal contraction'of raw film during drying is indicated in Fig. 1 by the relative positions of the floating rollers 69, I3, 11, etc. Had the film not contracted, all these rollers would be in substantially the same horizontal plane (assuming the film in the drier to be uniform in all other respects), and the extent of their departure therefrom is a rough indication of the relative amount of shrinkage of the film in the different sections of the drier.

The first section of the drier preferably includes one or more polishing drums 205 for polishing the inside or non-emulsion side of the film. These drums are convenientlylocated in each q machine illustrated in Fig. 1. the developing tank I3I and the fixing tank I33 are each provided with the usual equipment (not shown) for circulating and replenishing the solutions therein.

The wash system of the machine illustrated in 10 Fig. 1, consisting of the rinsing tank I32 and the washing tanks I3| andi3i, together with the equipment for circulating and feeding the liquids therein, is somewhat unusual. Fresh .water is run into the bottom of the second washing tank (tank I35) through the i e m, the flow or quantity of fresh water so introduced being normal for an ordinary washing tank.

The first and second washing tanks ([34, I35) are coupled at their tops by one or more large pipes 2i I so that the water from the second washing tank I35 overflows into the first washing tank I34. The first washing tank I34 and the rinsing tank I32 are coupled at their bottoms by one or more large pipes 2I2. The water in rinsing tank a I32 overflows out of the tank through pipe 2I3.

The water in the wash system thus flows from the fresh water supply to and then through the second washing tank I 35, then to and through the first washing tank I34 and then to and through the rinsing .tank I32, after which the water is discarded. The direction of water flow in this wash system is thus opposite to the direction of film fiow between these tanks of the wash system, the film traveling, as to these tanks, first 35 into rinsing tank I32, then into the first washing tank I33 and finally into'thesecond washing tank I.

Since the rinsing tank I 32 is substantially smaller than either of the washing tanks I34,

40 I35, the velocity of 'the water in the rinsing tank I32 is great. Furthermore, the water in the rinsing tank I32 having come from the washing tanks I34, I35, the water in rinsing tank I32 is acid and contains an appreciable amount of thiosulfate. As a consequence the action of the water in rinsing tank I3! is exceedingly effective in checking development both in respect of rapidity of osmosis and inspeed of pH depression. This is particularly so when using the machine with 16 mm. film, as with the speed of film travel which 'is-obtained with such film, the length of time the film is immersed in rinsing tank III, while brief; is sufiicient to check .developement.

Furthermore, the high velocity of the water and the low pH of the solution in rinsing tank I32 checks development effectively whether the wash water varies in temperature or not. Finally, this effective checking of the development is obtained without cost, since not only is the expense of so fresh water for both' the rinsing tank I32 and first washing tank I34 avoided. but the water that is used in these tanks is that from them- 0nd washing tank I35, which heretofore has been discarded.

The film processing machine of this invention is thus simple and inexpensive in construction, as it uses shafts each of which is of uniform diameter and film rollers which may be inexpensively made by the molding process, using one standard sized mold for all rollers Further, the

machine readily and automatically handles film of-any age, base or condition, without injury to the film, by its accommodation to the changes in the sprocket hole pitch of the film occurring during film p whatever the character or magnitude of such changes and by its accommo-- dation to initial deviations from the standard sprocket hole pitch which exist in different runs of film. Also, the machine is able to handle film at a substantially higher film speed than any 5 known commercial film processing machine can handle the same film, so that, with the film processing machine of this invention, less time is required to process a given run of film and so that fewer machines, provided they are according to 10 this invention, are required to process, a given quantity of film in a given time.

Contributing materially to produce this higher film speed is the simplicity of the machine and the small frictional losses therein. The simin plicity of the machine arises from the fact that the many vertical loops of film between successive sprockets are of fixed dimensions under all conditions of operation, so that, making these loops of equal length, the film rollers therefor 20 are mounted on two parallel shafts. Only the single, supplementary loop of film is of varying dimensions, for which single loop provision is easily made. The small frictional losses in the machine arise by rotatahly mounting the shafts 25 which carry the film rollers and by independently and rotatably supporting the film rollers on these rotatable shafts. With this construction the friction between a set of rollers and the shaft on which such rollers are mounted causes the 30 shaft to rotate so that there is no substantial motion between the shaft and the rollers mounted thereon. As a result the work expended in overcoming the friction between such rollers and the large number of film loops to be provided between sprockets and the film to be handled at a high speed, all without causing the film tension to exceed the tensile strength of the film.

Further with no substantial motionbetween 45 the shaft and the rollers mounted thereon, and with low-friction supports for the shafts, the wear on the rollers and on the shaft is practically nil, so that the life of the machine. is very materially .longer, and the maintenance difilculties 50 and expense very much less than with a machine having a non-rotatable roller-supporting shaft.

In this connection, it is to be observed that the speed at which film may be handled by a dim processing machine is governed by the tensile g5 strength of the film and the lengthof time the film is subjected to the one or more processing operations. Thus, in increasing the film speed for a. given processing machine, considerationmust be given not only to the increase in the film .0

' tension necessary to achieve the increased speed (assuming the film travel during the processing period to be unchanged) but also to lengthening the film travel so that the duration of the film processing period remains thesame. consideragg tion must also be given to the fact that if the lengthening of the film travel is to be obtained by increasing the number of film loops between sprockets handled by a given machine, this method of lengthening film travel involves increasing. 70

the film tension still more.

It is also to be observed that the tensile strength or a film, and thus the factor which nmits'thef film speed, is governed by the size of the film, the material of which it is made, and the size and 'g number (or pitch) of the sprocket holes therein. Thus, as substandard film is generally made of a cellulose acetate base (for safety, and thus known as safety film), while the standard film is generally made of a cellulose nitrate base, and as the substandard film is narrower, generally has only one row of perforations, and as those perforations are narrower, the film speed obtainable with sub-standard film is substantially less than that obtainable with standard film.

While the'principles of the film processing machine of this invention are generally applicable to the processing of any size film, the film processing machine illustrated is particularly adaptedfor handling sub-standard film, commonly known as the-16 mm. film, formed on an acetate base and having a single row of sprocket holes of relatively small width along one edge of the film, and a sound track along the unperforated edge of the film. A portion of such a film i0 is shown in Fig. 4A, the single row of sprocket holes or film perforations 235 being positioned along edge 238, the sound track 236 being positioned along edge 232, and the picture frames 23! being positioned between film perforations 235 and sound track 236. Such a film has been handled by the film processing machine of this invention at speeds from 120 up to 200 film ft. per minute. With a film processing machine according to this invention designed for use with standard, 35 mm. film, such film may be handled at substantially greater speeds.

The, loop forming film rollers of the film processing machine of Figs. 1-8 may be of the conventional shape, as shown in detail in Fig. 8, where each roller has two fianges H9, 220 between which are two circumferential shoulders or lands 22 I, 222 engaged by the edges of the film, the surfaces 223 of the roller between shoulders 22 I, 222 being recessed so that it does not engage the film. It has been found, however, that in some cases such rollers are not entirely satisfactory, such as when handling at substantial speeds single perforated sub-standard 16 mm. film having a sound track thereon. It has been found that abrasion takes place at the edges of the film. Such abrasion is particularly harmful on the unperforated edge of the film along which the sound track is positioned. Such abrasion, occurring on the under or non-emulsion side of the film directly beneath the sound track, causes a ground ,noise to occur in the reproduced sound when the sound track is used to reproduce the sound registered thereon.

This abrasion, and the resulting ground noise,

has been greatly diminished and substantially -parallel to the axis of the roller, as shown in Fig. 9, engages the surface 228 at its crown and leaves a clearance 228 between surface 228 and one edge, 230, of the film, and leaves a similar clearance 23! between surface 228 and the other edge, 232, of the film.

In explanation, the film roller 225, does not produce the abrasions encountered with the conventional film roller, such as that shown in Fig. 8, apparently because sidewise motion of the film is eliminated, or at least substantially reduced. This sidewise motion or side slip apparently arises as a result of the helical or spiral path of movement of the film in traveling through the series of film loops. The film approaches the roller at an angle,'with the result that one edge of the film is compelled to engage or lie near the base of one flange of the roller as the film engages the roller. The film leaves the roller at an opposite angle, with the result that the .other edge of the film is compelled to engage or lie near the base of the other flange of the roller as the film disengages the roller. Thus as the film is travelling around the roller it must also move or slip sideways. When the radially crowned film roller 225 is employed, the crown appears to have a centering action on the film so that side slip is minimized.

Further, the film is supported principally by the peak of the crown, so that, even when the film attempts to conform to the crown contour or surface 228, the pressure of the film against the surface 228 is very low at the edges of the film. Thus, even if there is some side slip, the pressure atthe edges of the film is not enough to produce film abrasion.

In some cases it has been found advisable, in

order to completely eliminate the abrasion and the resulting ground noise, to employ a thin, flat, soft rubber band or tire 234 between the crowned surface 228 of the roller and the film. Such a band is shown in Fig. 10 between the crowned surface 228A of film roller 225A and the film Ill. The exterior surface of the band 234 is still crowned and thus functions similarly as the crowned surface 228 of Fig. 9. In addition, the band 234 .enables the film to have a slight side sway without relative motion occurring between the film and the surface of the band or tire 234 in engagement with it. In other words, the side sway of the film is effected by the resiliency of the tire.

t is to be understood that while the crowned film rollers 225 and 225A were developed for use as the rollers l1, l8 and [9 etc. of the film processing machine of this invention, these crowned film rollers may be used advantageously in all types of film processing and film handling machines and with all types and sizes of film. These rollers, however, are particularly useful in the machines processing or handling sub-standard single perforated sound film.

The sprockets of the film processing machine of Figs. 1-8 may be of conventional construction. It is preferred, however, when the machine is handling single perforated film such as the sub-standard 16 mm. film, to employ sprockets of the construction shown in Figs. 11-16. Sfich sprockets reduce strain upon the film and minimize injury thereto, and are particularly efiective at high film speeds.

The sprocket 240 of Figs. 11-16 consists of a hub'member 2, a tooth disk 242, and a retaining member 243, each preferably made of metal, such as stainless steel, which is not corroded by the solutions used in the film. processing tanks. Hub member 2 has an aperture 244 by which it is mounted upon a supporting shaft, and has suitable means, such as set screw 245, for securing the sprocket to its supporting shaft. The circumference of hub member 24! is formed with a fiange 248 having two abutting radial surfaces 241, 248, the inner surface 241 being perpendicular to the axis of the sprocket and the outer surface 248 fiaring outwardly at a small angle to the surface 241. At the base of inner surface 241 the hub member 2 has a circumferential surface 258 forming a film supporting land or shoulder. With single perforated sound film the sound track edge 232 of the film ill (see Fig. 4A) 

